FACE OFF

Conflict between the administration and students over control of the Phillips Brooks House Association Inc. (PBHA) and its programs reached new heights this year, possibly threatening the very existence of many programs.

Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III has threatened to evict students from the Phillips Brooks House and cut off $750,000 in University funding unless PBHA rescinds its plans to create a governing board which includes non-student voting members.

The move follows one of the largest protest rallies in recent history, the resignation of two students from a student-faculty committee on public service and an increasingly bitter power struggle over the fate of Cambridge's largest public service group.

The History

The 1994 Report on the Structure of Harvard College recommended replacing the positions held by PBH executive director Greg Johnson '72 and Director of the Office of Public Services Gail Epstein with a new position of assistant dean of public service.

Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68, a co-author of the report who became dean last fall, chose Judith H. Kidd, a candidate whose main background was in banking, from a list of four finalists provided by a search committee.

This decision was met by outrage from student leaders, who said their input was completely disregarded and that Kidd was the least qualified candidate.

"The individual selected by Dean Lewis in no way reflects our opinions or recommendations to him," former PBHA President Vincent Pan '95-'96 and Central HAND Coordinator Elizabeth J. Finger '96 said in a statement.

"It is quite remarkable that the University chose not to listen to the pretty much unanimous opinion of the students and staff as to their views of the candidates," Anne Peretz, chair of PBHA's Association Committee, told a board of alumni and community leaders that advises PBHA.

December Rally

Opposition crystallized in a much-ballyhooed December 7 rally in front of University Hall, which drew a crowd of 750 students and several community leaders.

As protesters held signs reading "Harvard, Keep Your Hands off PBH" and "Student Need, Not Harvard Greed," Cambridge Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72 accused University leaders of "mooning" students.

"A moon is when someone drops their pants and turns and looks at you," Reeves said. "So I am here because I feel that you have been mooned and we have been mooned."

Lewis set off another firestorm by saying in an interview that he could not attend a rally because of a previous commitment.

"They didn't check my calendar," Lewis said.

Agee Professor of Social Ethics Robert Coles '50, who previously has threatened to leave Harvard because of its attitude towards public service groups, mocked Lewis at the rally.

"Let us pray for that person's soul," Coles said of Lewis.

"There was a moment in the Bible when it was said that the last shall be first and the first shall be last," Coles said. "And let us remember that--those of you who are big shots, let us remember."

The Standing Committee

Five days after the protest, the Standing Committee on Public Service was created by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences with the stated purpose of "[overseeing] public service at Harvard."

But in late April, two of the three students on the committee resigned, citing what they saw as the committee's insensitivity to student needs.

Students objected to the University's reluctance to increase the number of students on the committee to five and to allow students to choose who would represent them, a request initiated by the Undergraduate Council.

Officials at both the HAND program and PBHA have pledged not to rejoin the committee next year unless their concerns are addressed, thereby leaving its status in limbo.

"If a committee can be crafted that students think has integrity and will not be a forum to second administrative decisions, than it will succeed," PBHA President Andrew J. Ehrlich '96-'97 said.

Current Crisis

PBHA decided in its April 17 meeting to elect a board of trustees that includes non-student voting members.

Ehrlich said the move would strengthen PBHA's position as an organization and improve its institutional memory.

Epps, however, said student organizations are not allowed to have non-student voting members, and insisted that he would withdraw the University's recognition of PBHA as a student organization if students proceed with their plan. Epps also insisted that Kidd be appointed the head of PBHA.

Epps' move would deprive PBHA of $750,000 in University finding, thereby crippling many of its major programs.

In addition, PBHA would be barred from using Phillips Brooks House and funding for its 10 administrators would disappear.

The new PBHA governing board met for the first time May 31. In attendance, among others, were Coles and the Rev. G. Stewart Barns, a past president of United Ministries.

Ehrlich said the board is now considered "activated," but Epps said the bylaws of PBHA cannot be changed without the approval of the University.

At press time, sources said they expected a compromise agreement would be reached sometime early this week, though exact specifics were undetermined.

"I'm very upbeat about the progress of the negotiations," said Ehrlich. "I'm confident we will reach an agreement.

Lewis set off another firestorm by saying in an interview that he could not attend a rally because of a previous commitment.

"They didn't check my calendar," Lewis said.

Agee Professor of Social Ethics Robert Coles '50, who previously has threatened to leave Harvard because of its attitude towards public service groups, mocked Lewis at the rally.

"Let us pray for that person's soul," Coles said of Lewis.

"There was a moment in the Bible when it was said that the last shall be first and the first shall be last," Coles said. "And let us remember that--those of you who are big shots, let us remember."

The Standing Committee

Five days after the protest, the Standing Committee on Public Service was created by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences with the stated purpose of "[overseeing] public service at Harvard."

But in late April, two of the three students on the committee resigned, citing what they saw as the committee's insensitivity to student needs.

Students objected to the University's reluctance to increase the number of students on the committee to five and to allow students to choose who would represent them, a request initiated by the Undergraduate Council.

Officials at both the HAND program and PBHA have pledged not to rejoin the committee next year unless their concerns are addressed, thereby leaving its status in limbo.

"If a committee can be crafted that students think has integrity and will not be a forum to second administrative decisions, than it will succeed," PBHA President Andrew J. Ehrlich '96-'97 said.

Current Crisis

PBHA decided in its April 17 meeting to elect a board of trustees that includes non-student voting members.

Ehrlich said the move would strengthen PBHA's position as an organization and improve its institutional memory.

Epps, however, said student organizations are not allowed to have non-student voting members, and insisted that he would withdraw the University's recognition of PBHA as a student organization if students proceed with their plan. Epps also insisted that Kidd be appointed the head of PBHA.

Epps' move would deprive PBHA of $750,000 in University finding, thereby crippling many of its major programs.

In addition, PBHA would be barred from using Phillips Brooks House and funding for its 10 administrators would disappear.

The new PBHA governing board met for the first time May 31. In attendance, among others, were Coles and the Rev. G. Stewart Barns, a past president of United Ministries.

Ehrlich said the board is now considered "activated," but Epps said the bylaws of PBHA cannot be changed without the approval of the University.

At press time, sources said they expected a compromise agreement would be reached sometime early this week, though exact specifics were undetermined.

"I'm very upbeat about the progress of the negotiations," said Ehrlich. "I'm confident we will reach an agreement.